Missouri S&T to host mine rescue competition

The Missouri Mine Rescue Association, in conjunction with Missouri University of Science and Technology, will host its 35th Annual Mine Rescue Competition at Missouri S&T this month.

The competition, which is designed to simulate a mine emergency, will take place Monday, Sept. 18, through Thursday, Sept. 21, at Missouri S&T’s Experimental Mine. Two Missouri S&T teams will compete against one other university and multiple teams from the professional mining industry, such as Doe Run, Vulcan Materials Co. and Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. There are 24 teams competing this year.

“Five of the six placing teams from the 2016 national competition will participate in our competition,” says DeWayne Phelps, team trainer and an engineering technician at S&T. “The field consists of 24 teams, and the mix of industry and students will make for a great competition. This competition is known in the industry as ‘little nationals,’ all the best teams come to compete.”

The competition consists of a written skills test; two hands-on simulated mine disasters (both underground); a first-aid portion with a written test, hands-on CPR and a first-responder scenario; and a team technician portion with a written test and technical troubleshooting of breathing apparatuses and gas instruments.